What is Rotavirus Infection and What Causes It?

Rotavirus is a severe infection that results in inflammation of the intestines and stomach in infants and children. This results in diarrhea. If a child is not vaccinated, he or she is susceptible to this infection. Children under the age of three years are at significant risk. You must note that the infection might take place in such a way that there are multiple infections in the child. Doctors and medical experts state that children should be vaccinated and some kids before the age of 5 years have at least one attack of the rotavirus.

Rotavirus- an overview

For a parent or guardian battling the rotavirus infection in a child is very unpleasant. You can treat the child infected with rotavirus at home. He or she is prescribed fluids to prevent dehydration. In case, the infection is severe, the child is admitted to hospital and administered intravenous fluids. The biggest complication of rotavirus is dehydration, and this is the prime cause of deaths in children in developing nations. ‘

Prevention of rotavirus

Rotavirus can be prevented with vaccination. Older children and adults are not likely to develop severe bouts of the infection. However, to be safe, it is recommended for you to ensure children wash their hands frequently. The same applies to adults as well. In case of detection of the infection, doctors advise you to take the ELISA test. The ELISA results will determine whether you or a child has been infected with the rotavirus.  

Causes of rotavirus

The cause of rotavirus infection is the person’s stool. The symptoms appear and last for ten days. The rotavirus spreads rapidly from hand to mouth contact during this period. The person infected with rotavirus might not have any symptoms, but it can spread to a child quickly.

Importance of washing your hands

In case you are carrying the rotavirus, and you do not wash your hands properly, or you do not wash your hands after changing the diaper for your child, the rotavirus spreads to everything you touch. The virus contaminates toys, utensils, and food.

In case someone else touches your hands or things that are unwashed, he or she will get the rotavirus infection. The rotavirus stays on the surface for weeks or maybe longer if it is not disinfected. There are several types of the virus, and so it is possible for you to be infected more than once even if you have been vaccinated. However, once you have been infected with rotavirus, the subsequent set of infections are less severe.

However, children in the age group of 3 to 35 months are at potential risk of rotavirus infection. Children that spend a lot of time in day care centers are prone to the disease. Adults that care for children in this age group also have a risk of rotavirus infection. The risks for this disease is mostly high in the USA during spring and winter. In case, the condition is left untreated; it can become life threatening irrespective of its cause!